BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

Education Secretary Sonny Angara has called for better support to farm schools, emphasizing their role in equipping rural learners with the skills needed for agriculture and agribusiness, key pillars of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision for food security and economic growth.

“They have the land to cultivate, and they operate like a farm while still being a school. This is an essential lesson for our senior high school students because we want to teach them entrepreneurship, accounting, and business skills,” Secretary Angara said at the sidelines of the historic joint management committee meeting of DepEd and TESDA in Bacolod.

Under Republic Act 10618, farm schools provide agricultural training, technical skills, and entrepreneurship education, particularly in rural areas.

During his visit to Ramon Torres Malingin Farm School, Angara praised its upgraded facilities, including newly built Kubo lounging areas and its pioneering PAAWASAN Water Filtration System, which addresses both sanitation and irrigation needs. The school currently serves 117 students under three dedicated teachers.

DepEd officials also visited Cansilayan Farm School, one of 26 pioneering farm schools in Western Visayas and the only one in Negros Occidental implementing the Farm School Program.

Bridging education to industry

Meanwhile, to further strengthen education-industry linkages, Angara visited Victorias National High School, Ramon Torres Farm School, VMA Global College and Training Center, Vallacar Transit and Ceres Bus, and Peñalosa Farm, all institutions engaged in Senior High School Technical-Vocational-Livelihood programs that provide students with real-world skills and job opportunities.

DepEd also monitored the situation at Alicante Day Care Center, where discussions are ongoing on a DepEd-DBM-EDCOM initiative to build more Child Development Centers, reinforcing the agency’s broader push for early investments in education.

With farm schools, industry partnerships, and crisis preparedness at the forefront, Angara reaffirmed DepEd’s commitment to expanding career pathways and strengthening education’s role in national development.

Contingency for Mt. Kanlaon situation

Angara also checked on schools affected by the Mt. Kanlaon eruption, visiting La Granja Elementary School and Yubo Elementary School in La Carlota City. Based on DepEd data as of March 14, 11,177 learners and 441 personnel from 11 schools have been affected. Angara assured that DepEd is actively updating its Contingency Plan and Emergency Response Preparedness in case the situation worsens.

*All Photos from DepEd